Accordion-locking means



Sept; 11, 1928. 1,684,119

. I F. UMBRIACO ACCORDION LOCKING MEANS Filed March 8,, 1927 I I H 4 TTORNEY Patented septall, 1928.

UNI-T En; STA

FRANK UMBRIACO, OF NEW, YORK, N. Y.

ACCORDION-LOCKING MEANS,

Application filed March 8, 1927. Serial N0.173,658.

This invention relates to improvements in I one of its objects the provision of locking means for accordions adapted when in unlocked position to be substantially slid out of sight and friction-ally maintained in said position.

i-Xnothcr object of the invention is to provide an accordion with locking means on both sides thereof, the said locking means being adapted to be sprung out of locking: pos' ion and slid into a c no and trictionally maintained. in said position.v

A further object of the iii'iveuticm is to provide an accordion with locking means comprising a. plurality of spring plates in engagement with headed screws or studs when in locking position, and the saidplatcs being adapted to be sprung out 01" engage ment with the said studs and slid into an OPQIIIlYlg formed on each side of the accordion by the usual hand strap and the walls of the accordion casing,

Other objects and novel features of: construction will become apparent the specilication proceeds.

Referring to the drawings forming a part of this specification:

Figure]. is a front view mostly diagrammatical, of an accordion. embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmental end view of same looking from the right of l? 1 and Figures 3 and 4 are detail views in per spective of the locking plate and guide plate respectively.

Referring to the drawings in. detail,

indicates an accordion, comprising an upper section 6 and a lower-section 7 joined by the usual bellows 8. A hand strap 5) is secured to the lower section 7 in such manner as to provide spaces 10 on both sides of the said section 7 the object of which will presently be described. c i

i To lock the bellows when the accordion is not in use, I provide locking means comprising resilient plates 11 preferably made of spring steel, slidingly guided in a channel 12 cut in guide plates 13 secured to each side of the lower section 7 near the juncture thereof with the bellows 8. Headed screws 'or studs 14 in the upper section 6 pass through openings 15 in the plates 11 and my invention may be made without demaintain the said plates in locking positron.

To unlock the bellows, the plates 11 are sprung out ardly by pulling upon studs or knobs 16 secured to the upper portion of the plate" 11, untilthe openings 15 which are approximately the size "of the heads of the studs 1+1. disc god from the said stuns and the bolts are LhE-ll slid downwardly into the spz 10 where they are maintained rally held by projections'17 at end of the plates 11 bearing; r st the strap 9. These projections 17 ;o ,t'orm a'stop for limiting; the upward movement oi the plates 11. \Vhile I have de-' scribed the strap 9 as forming a casing for the plates when they. are slid down out of locking position, I desire it understood that independent casings may be used it desired. I I

From the foregoing; it will be seen that instead of the old unsightly manner of locking the bellows which usually consisted of ii strap permanently fastened to one section of the accordion and releasahly secured to the other section vtor unlocking, which would leave the said locking strap dangling when so unlocked, I have provided locking means that may readily be sprung out of position and slid into a casing where it is maintained until it is again withdranui for locking. I desire it understood that I do not limit myself to the exact constuction disclosed and described as many variations or changes parting from the scope of the appended claims.

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. 1: an accordion provided with'bellows intermediate its sections, a guide plate prorid-ed with a slot therein. secured to one of the sectioi 2, a movable locking plate passing through the said slot and provided with an opening nearcne end thereof, a stud in the other section passing through the said opening for role. .bly maintaining the loclfing-plate inlocking position therewith and a stop on the lockingi -plate to limit the movement thereof in locking direction.

'2. In an accordion provided with bellows intermediate its'sections, a guide plate proupward movement thereof in locking direction, and a casing on the guide plate holding section adapted to receive and frictionally maintain the slidable member when slid into unlocking position.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature.

FRANK UMBRIACO. 

